Role Of Socialization
Role of Socialization
Danica Peters
Northern Lakes Regional College
Sociology 1000
Assignment 2: Role of Socialization
Laura Kiepal
Socialization is how individuals learn how to function in the world they live in. The process of socialization changes from each individual person. Values, norms, respect, worth ethics, and, behaviors are not programmed in the brain during gestation. Instead, all these characteristics are learned through the role of socialization. The agents of socialization; family, school, peers, and media are what influence and shape our understanding of society and ourselves. Family is the first social agent which individuals are exposed to; they are the primary source of socialization (Brym & Lie, 2012). This social agent is responsible for teaching individuals about ‘self’ “a set of ideas and attitudes about who one is as an independent being” (Brym & Lie, 2012, p. 58). A functionalist view would argue “family is the most important agent of primary socialization, the process of mastering the basic skills required to operate in society during childhood” (Brym & Lie, 2012, p. 60). Language is one concept taught by the family in order to communicate, without a basic form of communication fitting into society would be near impossible. Teaching children how to speak is considered part of being a parent and is not questioned; bad parenting in turn would lead to bad socialization. Families also provide ‘class’ and how you as an individual, and family, fit into the order of society. Wealthy families may be able to provide different opportunities versus poor families, and different values may be taught such as wasting food and saving money. The lessons children are taught shape how they will act in society and what they will think of themselves and others. School is another social agent which impacts an individuals understanding of self and society ("Agents of socialization," 2013). School teaches individuals how to be a
Danica Peters
Northern Lakes Regional College
Sociology 1000
Assignment 2: Role of Socialization
Laura Kiepal
Socialization is how individuals learn how to function in the world they live in. The process of socialization changes from each individual person. Values, norms, respect, worth ethics, and, behaviors are not programmed in the brain during gestation. Instead, all these characteristics are learned through the role of socialization. The agents of socialization; family, school, peers, and media are what influence and shape our understanding of society and ourselves. Family is the first social agent which individuals are exposed to; they are the primary source of socialization (Brym & Lie, 2012). This social agent is responsible for teaching individuals about ‘self’ “a set of ideas and attitudes about who one is as an independent being” (Brym & Lie, 2012, p. 58). A functionalist view would argue “family is the most important agent of primary socialization, the process of mastering the basic skills required to operate in society during childhood” (Brym & Lie, 2012, p. 60). Language is one concept taught by the family in order to communicate, without a basic form of communication fitting into society would be near impossible. Teaching children how to speak is considered part of being a parent and is not questioned; bad parenting in turn would lead to bad socialization. Families also provide ‘class’ and how you as an individual, and family, fit into the order of society. Wealthy families may be able to provide different opportunities versus poor families, and different values may be taught such as wasting food and saving money. The lessons children are taught shape how they will act in society and what they will think of themselves and others. School is another social agent which impacts an individuals understanding of self and society ("Agents of socialization," 2013). School teaches individuals how to be a
References: Agents of socialization. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/sociology/understanding-socialization/agents-of-socialization/ Barbour, C. (2008). Peer group influence . Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/peer-group-influence/ Barbour, C. (2008). Peer group influence . Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/peer-group-influence/ Brym, R., & Lie, J. (2012). Soc+ . (p. 58). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.